PIERRE: Lawmaker again mulling drinking age bill

September 29, 2009

PIERRE — State Rep. Tim Rounds of Pierre says he has yet to decide whether to file a bill in the 2010 legislative session to allow 19- and 20-year-olds to have alcoholic beverages in controlled establishments if accompanied by a person of legal drinking age. Rounds says there won’t be a bill if he thinks it will hurt South Dakota’s chances of getting federal highway funds. The Republican lawmaker says he has gotten positive and negative reaction since raising the idea earlier this summer. He says he plans to discuss the idea Tuesday when the Legislature’s interim Alcoholic Beverage Control and Licensing Committee meets in Pierre.